Published: Saturday, September 14, 2013 at 10:52 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, September 14, 2013 at 10:52 p.m.

Local artists and art galleries displayed their work Saturday during downtown Houma’s Art After Dark.

More than 50 artists displayed their work in 23 venues. Some businesses displayed art both inside and out as artists, from painters selling their own work to craftsmen teaching bystanders how to make wood ducks, filled the sidewalks.

Some businesses turned into phantom galleries, with artwork displayed in windows of closed shops. The Houma-Terrebonne stage band played on the courthouse steps.

Artist Rocky Laliberte said the event, held each year in the spring and fall, is a great way for local artists to establish their own brand. “It’s a great way to get your pieces and your name out there.”

Laliberte said Art After Dark provides both hope and consistency for artists.

“It’s nice to see something stable, something to have every year. This is my fourth year and, I’ve had people that I’ve seen for all four years, so you can see how much it’s grown,” Laliberte said. “It’s something that people can come out and view all different types of art.”

Purple Penguin Art Studio had wall-to-wall art on display, but the main attraction was hurricane themed.

Arist Re’ Howse said she was inspired to create the hurricane themed attraction after she moved from California to Gretna, something she did just prior to Hurricane Katrina.

Howse said she asked artists from all over the world to send in work for display in the gallery.

“We’ll continue to get stuff, too. Whatever doesn’t sell tonight we’ll hold it and we’re going to do this as an annual event every year in conjunction with Art After Dark,” she said.

The hurricane display included red-painted trash on the floor in the distinctive shape of a hurricane symbol.

The display is a reminder that trash is hazardous to the coast and could clog drainage systems, she said.

Art After Dark organizer Karen Kelly said she is always pleased with the turnout and the year-to-year growth. Kelly started Art After Dark 13 years ago with the work of a handful of artists and has watched it grow to spectacle it is today.

Kelly says the festival is meant to celebrate the local art community and bring attention to the city’s scenic downtown.

“It’s made people aware that we do have a viable art community here,” Kelly said.

Houma residents Mike Fakier and his daughter Lauren returned Saturday after attending Art After Dark last year. They said they intend to come back again and again.

It “is absolutely wonderful. It brings out a lot of great things in this community and it’s fun to see all of the talent that we have down here,” Mike Fakier said.

Staff Writer Jacob Batte can be reached at 448-7635 or jacob.batte@dailycomet.com. Follow him Twitter @ja_batte

<p>Local artists and art galleries displayed their work Saturday during downtown Houma's Art After Dark.</p><p>More than 50 artists displayed their work in 23 venues. Some businesses displayed art both inside and out as artists, from painters selling their own work to craftsmen teaching bystanders how to make wood ducks, filled the sidewalks. </p><p>Some businesses turned into phantom galleries, with artwork displayed in windows of closed shops. The Houma-Terrebonne stage band played on the courthouse steps. </p><p>Artist Rocky Laliberte said the event, held each year in the spring and fall, is a great way for local artists to establish their own brand. “It's a great way to get your pieces and your name out there.” </p><p>Laliberte said Art After Dark provides both hope and consistency for artists. </p><p>“It's nice to see something stable, something to have every year. This is my fourth year and, I've had people that I've seen for all four years, so you can see how much it's grown,” Laliberte said. “It's something that people can come out and view all different types of art.”</p><p>Purple Penguin Art Studio had wall-to-wall art on display, but the main attraction was hurricane themed.</p><p>Arist Re' Howse said she was inspired to create the hurricane themed attraction after she moved from California to Gretna, something she did just prior to Hurricane Katrina. </p><p>Howse said she asked artists from all over the world to send in work for display in the gallery. </p><p>“We'll continue to get stuff, too. Whatever doesn't sell tonight we'll hold it and we're going to do this as an annual event every year in conjunction with Art After Dark,” she said. </p><p>The hurricane display included red-painted trash on the floor in the distinctive shape of a hurricane symbol.</p><p>The display is a reminder that trash is hazardous to the coast and could clog drainage systems, she said.</p><p>Art After Dark organizer Karen Kelly said she is always pleased with the turnout and the year-to-year growth. Kelly started Art After Dark 13 years ago with the work of a handful of artists and has watched it grow to spectacle it is today.</p><p>Kelly says the festival is meant to celebrate the local art community and bring attention to the city's scenic downtown.</p><p>“It's made people aware that we do have a viable art community here,” Kelly said. </p><p>Houma residents Mike Fakier and his daughter Lauren returned Saturday after attending Art After Dark last year. They said they intend to come back again and again.</p><p>It “is absolutely wonderful. It brings out a lot of great things in this community and it's fun to see all of the talent that we have down here,” Mike Fakier said.</p><p>Staff Writer Jacob Batte can be reached at 448-7635 or jacob.batte@dailycomet.com. Follow him Twitter @ja_batte</p>